Looking Up
Saturday evening, I escorted all three of my boys to the General Priesthood Session of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We also had the opportunity to share this is experience with my father. This was the first time all the men in our family left the womenfolk at home. It was the first priesthood session our youngest son attended.
As we gathered at our local stake center, I found myself making little observations. My father sat on one end of the pew with myself at the other end. The boys sat between us. As the meeting opened, Horn Man leaned over and asked, "Dad, how long does this meeting last?" I thought that was quite interesting. I have been attending this meeting all his life. His older brothers have been doing it for the past several years. Yet, he had no idea how long the meeting lasted.
It was not long before he leaned over again and tapped me on the knee. Once he had my attention, he pointed out the fact that his oldest brother appeared to be falling asleep. He wanted to know what I was going to do. He wondered what he should do. I quietly reminded him that we all have agency and directed my attention back to the meeting.
Occasionally, I made an mental note that you was closely observing those sitting on our pew. He observed his grandfather, two older brothers, and myself. This was a new experience for him. He was unsure how he should act. I was observing that the young men in the pew in front of us were doing their best to secretly deposit lint on each others jackets or in each others hair.
Before we made it to what is so reverently referred to as half-time, Horn Man had assumed the same position as his older brother. Though his eyes did not remain closed as long, he was doing his best to fit in.
I was again reminded that it does not matter where we are, what we are doing, or who we think is watching, some one is. They are looking up to us. I have always worried about making sure I am leading a life that would set a proper example for my children. So, here I am doing my best to set the example and I am not the one being observed. Well, not that I was aware of.
Please know that each of you are children of God. We have all taken upon us the name of Christ. Though we may not know it, others are aware of it and are watching. I hope that each of you have made a point to live your lives in such a manner the is worthy of such a responsibility.
As we gathered at our local stake center, I found myself making little observations. My father sat on one end of the pew with myself at the other end. The boys sat between us. As the meeting opened, Horn Man leaned over and asked, "Dad, how long does this meeting last?" I thought that was quite interesting. I have been attending this meeting all his life. His older brothers have been doing it for the past several years. Yet, he had no idea how long the meeting lasted.
It was not long before he leaned over again and tapped me on the knee. Once he had my attention, he pointed out the fact that his oldest brother appeared to be falling asleep. He wanted to know what I was going to do. He wondered what he should do. I quietly reminded him that we all have agency and directed my attention back to the meeting.
Occasionally, I made an mental note that you was closely observing those sitting on our pew. He observed his grandfather, two older brothers, and myself. This was a new experience for him. He was unsure how he should act. I was observing that the young men in the pew in front of us were doing their best to secretly deposit lint on each others jackets or in each others hair.
Before we made it to what is so reverently referred to as half-time, Horn Man had assumed the same position as his older brother. Though his eyes did not remain closed as long, he was doing his best to fit in.
I was again reminded that it does not matter where we are, what we are doing, or who we think is watching, some one is. They are looking up to us. I have always worried about making sure I am leading a life that would set a proper example for my children. So, here I am doing my best to set the example and I am not the one being observed. Well, not that I was aware of.
Please know that each of you are children of God. We have all taken upon us the name of Christ. Though we may not know it, others are aware of it and are watching. I hope that each of you have made a point to live your lives in such a manner the is worthy of such a responsibility.
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